We bought a Zoo (2011)

Director: Cameron Crowe

Starring: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson, Thomas Haden Church

Set in Southern California, a father moves his young family to the countryside to renovate and re-open a struggling zoo.

Although based on fact, ‘We bought a Zoo’ deviates so much from actual events that one can’t help but raise an eyebrow now and again, with credibility issues one can’t believe happened in real life the way it is depicted in the film.

Nevertheless, ‘We bought a Zoo’ is a delightful, charming comedy drama young and old will enjoy. Since I love animals, the film already had an advantage before I even started reviewing. Matt Damon stars as Benjamin Mee, a writer with a generous inheritance from his Dad, who decided it’s time for “something new”. Having lost his wife due to illness, this single father wants what is best for his children, although him and his son, Dylan, constantly disagrees with what is best for whom. His daughter, Rosie, is the most adorable little kid (very well played by 7-year old Maggie Elizabeth Jones).

Thanks to his daughter’s adoration for animals, Benjamin decides to buy a zoo that had been closed down due to misconduct. What follows is a fun, entertaining movie as Benjamin and the original zoo staff work together to re-open the zoo. There’s a romantic interest as well that was subtle and effective, and never overshadowing the issues at hand.

‘We bought a Zoo’ is a feel-good movie that will steal your heart.

‘We bought a Zoo’ earned $120 million on a $50 million budget.

Would I watch it again? Yes.